Who plays who, schedule, bracket, dates, venues, times, TV, how it works, when is the Grand Final – TOTOCC

With the top eight set as all eyes turn to the finals, and the AFL has confirmed the week one fixture of the post-season.

So who will make it all the way to the 2023 Grand Final, and who’ll fall painfully short this September?

See the 2023 AFL finals fixture and how the AFL finals system works below.

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AFL 2023 FINALS FIXTURE – WEEK 1 (All times AEST)

First Qualifying Final: (1) Collingwood 9.6 (60) defeated (4) Melbourne 7.11 (53)

Thursday, September 7, 7:20pm at the MCG

First Elimination Final: (5) Carlton 11.8 (74) defeated (8) Sydney Swans 9.14 (68)

Friday September 8, 7:50pm at the MCG

Second Elimination Final: (6) St Kilda vs (7) GWS Giants

Saturday September 9, 3:20pm at the MCG

Second Qualifying Final: (2) Brisbane Lions vs (3) Port Adelaide

Saturday September 9, 7:25pm at the Gabba

AFL 2023 FINALS FIXTURE – WEEK 2 (All times AEST)

First Semi Final: Melbourne vs Sydney Swans

date, time TBC (likely Friday September 15, 7:50pm) at the MCG

Second Semi Final: (Brisbane Lions vs Port Adelaide loser) vs (St Kilda vs GWS Giants winner)

date, time TBC (likely Saturday September 16, 7:20pm) at either Gabba or Adelaide Oval

AFL 2023 FINALS FIXTURE – WEEK 3 (All times AEST)

First Preliminary Final: Collingwood vs (Second Semi Final winner)

date, time TBC (likely Friday September 22, 7:50pm) at the MCG

Second Preliminary Final: (Brisbane Lions vs Port Adelaide winner) vs (First Semi Final winner)

date, time TBC (likely Saturday September 23, 4:35pm or 7:20pm) at either Gabba or Adelaide Oval

AFL GRAND FINAL

First Preliminary Final winner vs Second Preliminary Final winner

Saturday September 30, 2:30pm AEST at the MCG

All finals until the Grand Final will be broadcast live and ad-break free during play on Fox Footy, while they will also be streamed live on Kayo Sports.

WHEN IS THE AFL GRAND FINAL?

The AFL finals series begins on Thursday September 7, following the pre-finals bye week.

The 2023 AFL Grand Final is scheduled for Saturday September 30, remaining in its traditional slot of 2:30pm AEST at the MCG.

HOW THE AFL FINALS SYSTEM WORKS

The winners of the two qualifying finals advance to host the two preliminary finals, while two teams are eliminated each week until the Grand Final.

The loser of the First Qualifying Final (Collingwood vs Melbourne) hosts the winner of the First Elimination Final (Carlton vs Sydney Swans) in the First Semi Final.

The loser of the Second Qualifying Final (Brisbane Lions vs Port Adelaide) hosts the winner of the Second Elimination Final (St Kilda vs GWS Giants) in the Second Semi Final.

The winner of the First Qualifying Final (Collingwood vs Melbourne) hosts the winner of the Second Semi Final (Brisbane Lions, Port Adelaide, St Kilda or GWS Giants) in the First Preliminary Final.

The winner of the Second Qualifying Final (Brisbane Lions vs Port Adelaide) hosts the winner of the First Semi Final (Collingwood, Melbourne, Carlton or Sydney Swans) in the Second Preliminary Final.

The winners of the two Preliminary Finals face off in the 2023 AFL Grand Final.